OUI-lack Core-VEER-id-ee

Uileac Korviridi isn’t known for half-measures. Whether firing off arrows astride his horse or joining a drinking competition at his favorite watering hole, the Bremish cavalryman isn’t happy unless he’s beating someone – sometimes literally.

While his peridot eyes and tea-green hair may make him appear delicate, few have the courage to suggest that to his face. Only his husband, Orrinir Relickim, has the right to say anything so sentimental. Some would say he abuses the privilege.

Uileac’s life changed forever when his parents were killed during a raid on the family home by Sinan soldiers. He and his little sister, Cerie Korviridi, were ripped away from their bucolic farming community and shipped off to Goldnin, a suburb of Breme’s capital. At only 11 years old, he was enrolled in the War Academy, where he would train to formally join the Bremish Army as an adult.

Warfare suits him. After losing his childhood to Sinan bruality, he has no intention of surrendering this centuries-long fight.

In fact, there are few things Uileac enjoys more than peppering the enemy with poetry-infused arrows. That would be spending time with his husband and sister at their cozy home in Goldnin, where all three live in semi-blissful domesticity.

Life has honed Uileac to a sharp point with a biting wit to match. What it has not provided him is the emotional resilience to face down difficult conversations, especially ones that force him to confront his past. He’s more likely to disappear with a bitter repartee, off to ride horses or train himself to exhaustion. Orrinir, who is far more sensitive, often has to rein in his avoidant behavior. This does not always work.

Given his fierce admiration for his deceased parents, Uileac cannot tolerate anything he believes may besmirch their memory. To him, any failure brings dishonor on their quiet grave nestled in the lonely steppes. He derides himself on their behalf, even though Cerie promises they’d love him anyway. This has given him a brittle sense of self papered up with pride, which can come across as arrogant to those who don’t know him well.

But for all his flaws, Uileac can be quite charming. He is a devoted husband to Orrinir, always seeking to better understand the man he loves. To his sister, Cerie, he is both a nuisance and a beloved quasi-father, pushing her to succeed in her studies as a High Poet. Most of all, Uileac adores his palomino mare, Erix, and his husband’s dun gelding, Bannain.

Uileac is best typified by his preferred weapon, the bow. Slowly he tenses with unspent emotion, then releases a verbal arrow.

Miscellania about Uileac Korviridi

He is a tea purist. While he’ll disdainfully accept others spoiling their black tea with goat milk or honey, don’t try to fix his with such filth.

His favorite breakfast is eggs with goat meat, sour bread, and cardamom tea.

Due to some unfortunate incidents on the family farm, Uileac is terrified of chickens. This does not stop him from enjoying a good roast chicken; maybe it makes him enjoy the meal more.

Uileac can’t sing worth a damn, despite his melodic voice. He can whistle, though.

While many others in the cavalry accept the standard-issue arrows, Uileac has his custom made from heavier wood. Green lizardbird feathers are his calling card, helping him identify his kills after a battle.

His bow was commissioned from a local craftsman by Orrinir. It features delicate carvings of horses, including one varnished to look just like Erix.

Being such a competitive person, Uileac keeps track of his kills and compares them to famous archers from days of old.

Though Uileac would love to have a pet, he knows it’s infeasible given his lifestyle. He can often be found at the local stockyards, mooning over the animals for sale before being dragged away by Orrinir.

Uileac Korviridi appears in:

• 9 Years Yearning (POV character)
• Pride Before a Fall
• Funeral of Hopes (POV character)
• Absent All Light
• Poesy
• Shadow and Sword
• Perseity
• The Sorrow of the Bells (POV character)
• Plexity